Doha: The School of Economics, Administration, and Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, in collaboration with the Sudanese Agricultural Engineers Association (SAEA) in Qatar, held a forum on the effective partnership for achieving food security amid crises. The event focused on the major challenges facing food security in Sudan, exacerbated by political and economic instability and climate change.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum brought together various official, charitable, and research institutions, including the Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Red Crescent Society, Qatar Charity, and Sudan's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. These entities, alongside experts, academics, and stakeholders in agricultural development and food security, participated in the discussions.
President of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Dr. Abdelwahab El Affendi, highlighted the importance of supporting agricultural efforts in light of global food challenges. He emphasized that achieving agricultural security should not disadvantage farmers, who often suffer from unfair market and storage policies. Dr. El Affendi noted that Sudan, historically seen as the breadbasket of the Arab world, now faces significant food crises, worsened by falling crop prices during harvest seasons and inadequate storage and marketing mechanisms.
Dr. Ayhab Saad, Dean of the School of Economics, Administration, and Public Policy at the institute, pointed out Sudan's vast agricultural potential, with around 60 percent of the workforce employed in the sector. However, productivity remains low, not exceeding 30 percent, prompting discussions on necessary investments to revitalize the sector. Dr. Saad also addressed the challenges posed by the lack of specialized economic studies and updated data, urging investment in data collection and agricultural statistics systems to inform more effective development policies.
The forum aimed to establish practical frameworks to build stronger partnerships between academic and research institutions and governmental and charitable organizations. This collaboration seeks to develop sustainable solutions to support food security and mitigate related crises. Participants addressed key issues impacting Sudan's food security, such as climate change, internal conflicts, production decline, and the resulting rise in poverty and displacement.
Discussions also centered on formulating sustainable agricultural policies that enhance local production and protect natural resources, while integrating social and economic dimensions. The forum emphasized the role of Qatari and regional institutions in supporting food security initiatives, providing expertise, financial resources, and technical support to stabilize the sector.
The forum's papers explored opportunities for regional and international cooperation, aiming to facilitate knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships to address shared challenges across the region.